Objective To investigate the effect of local injection of Botulinum toxin type A(BTXA) on spasticity and function of the affected upper limb in stroke patients.Methods A total of 32 stroke patients were re- cruited and randomly divided into two groups:a BTXA group and a control group.All the patients had spasticity of upper limb muscles,which scored grade 2 to 3 with the Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS) ,and decreased elbow joint range of motion.The 16 patients in the BTXA group received BTXA injection in the biceps brachii muscles and flexor muscles of forearm on 10～15 points,while those in the control group did not.All the patients in both groups were treated with rehabilitation training techniques.The MAS,Fugl-Meyer upper limb function assessment and Barthel In- dex were employed to evaluate the changes of muscle tone,upper limb function and activity of living (ADL)perform- ance of the patients before injection and at 1st,2nd,6th 12th weeks after injection.Results The therapeutic effect between the BTXA group anti control group was significantly different in terms of biceps muscle tone,the scores of Fugl-Meyer upper limb function assessment and Barthel Index.Compared with preinjection,muscle tone was de- creased significantly and ADL performance was improved after injection in BTXA group.The effects of BTXA lasted more than 12 weeks.Conclusion Intramuscular muhipoint injection of BTXA was useful in reducing muscle spas- ticity,and was helpful for increasing motor ability of the affected upper limb and ADL performance of the stroke pa- tients.

Objective To determine the influence of protein fusion on the biological characteris- tics of hymidine kinase(TK)and human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)Tat recombinant protein. Methods By utilizing polymerase chain reaction(PCR)technique,different fragments containing two,four or six glycines(Gly)were inserted between the HIV Tat gene and TK,and cloned into PBK vector.After testified by sequencing,the vectors were transfected into E coli.After induced by iso- propyl thiogalactose(IPTG),bacilli were collected and destructed by ultrasonic,the fusion proteins were determined by monoclonal antibody against HIV protein.HepG2 cells were incubated in DMEM supplement with 10?g/mL HIV-Gly(n)-TK(n=0,2,4,6)fusion protein,TK-HIV Tat and only HIV Tat.HepG2 cells in different groups were detected by immunofluorescence assay 24 hours after transduction with HIV Tat monoclonal antibody.The rate of apoptosis after cells were incubated with gencilovir(10?g/mL)for 3 days was determined by cell flow cytometry,while survival cell ratio was recorded by trypan blue.The data were analyzed by statistics(t-test).Results The Tat-Gly(n)-TK (n= 0,2,4,6)recombinant genes were constructed and inserted into PBK vectors,which were expressed in E coli and then purified.Cells in different groups,which were incubated with Tat-Gly (n)-TK(n=0,2,4,6)fusion proteins,Tat-TK fusion protein,TK-Tat fusion proteins or only Tat proteins respectively,were detected by immunofluorescence assay.The intensities of fluorescence in different groups were almost same,but the ratios of cell survival or apoptosis were different.The highest ratio of cells apoptosis(14.77%)was in the group that cellular culture medium was mixed with Tat-Gly(4)-TK fusion protein,followed by the groups containing 6,2 glycines or no TK gene in genes(4.30%,12.69% and 1.03%,respectively).There were significant differences between each 2 groups among the all groups(t-test,P

0.05);however there were significant difference between D4T+DDI+NVP group and AZT+DDI+NVP group(P

OBJECTIVETo establish a mathematical model of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and develop a working theory for antiviral therapy in order to understand the dynamics of HCV replication.

METHODSPeripheral blood cells of 4 hepatitis C patients were cultured. Quantities of the HCV were detected every 15 min by real-time PCR. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. A mathematical functional relationship between HCV RNA and the time lapse was established.

RESULTSThe quantity of HCV RNA declined and it fell into a mathematical model: Y=3E+0.8e(-0.5467x) (r=0.9547). The estimated virion half-life was 45 min on the average.

CONCLUSIONSThe decline of HCV RNA in the blood is not of a linear trend and the HCV RNA lasts a longer time although the speed of the decline is faster than that in vivo.

Adult ; Half-Life ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; blood ; virology ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Viral Load ; Virus Replication

Objective To explore the plague epidemical trend of nearly a 10 years data in Qinghai province to provide basis for making the prevention and control measures. Method The regional distribution and time distribution of animal and human plague, monitoring and plague foci of survey data in Qinghai from 2001 to 2010 were analyzed with Excel software 2003. Results In Qinghai province, a total of 167 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated from infected animals and insects in 10 years. Yersinia pestis was mainly distributed in Wulan,Delinha, Geermu, and Tianjun, along the Qinghai-Xizang railway. Human plague was occurred every year from 2001 to 2010 except 2002, 2007, 2008, and 2010. In the 10 years, there were 37 plague cases and 16 of these cases died, the mortality was 43.24％. The plague cases were mainly distributed in Nangqian, Qumalai, Chenduo,Zhiduo, Xinghai, Tongde, Tianjun, Wulan and Qilian. And these cases were found mostly in the period from May to October, especially in the period from August to October. Major clinical type of the plague cases was lung-type (62.16％,23/37). Conclusions The plague epidemic situation in Qinghai province is still severe, animal plague occurred year after year, and human plague outbreaks occasionally. Monitoring and early warning in the key areas should be strengthened, and the comprehensive measures of plague prevention and control should be carried out to reduce the incidence and prevalence of plague.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging derived quantitative metrics and serum soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) level in an embolic canine stroke model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A middle cerebral artery occlusion model was established in 24 beagle dogs. Experimental dogs were divided into low- and high-sCD40L group according to serum sCD40L level at 4.5 hours after establishing the model. IVIM imaging was scanned at 4.5 hours after model establishment using 10 b values ranging from 0 to 900 s/mm². Quantitative metrics diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) of ischemic lesions were calculated. Quantitative metrics of ischemic lesions were normalized by contralateral hemisphere using the following formula: normalized D = D(stroke) / D(contralateral). Differences in IVIM metrics between the low- and high-sCD40L groups were compared using t test. Pearson's correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationship between IVIM metrics and serum sCD40L level. RESULTS: The high-sCD40L group showed significantly lower f and normalized f values than the low-sCD40L group (f, p < 0.001; normalized f, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in D*, normalized D*, D, or normalized D value between the two groups (All p > 0.05). Both f and normalized f values were negatively correlated with serum sCD40L level (f, r = −0.789, p < 0.001; normalized f, r = −0.823, p < 0.001). However, serum sCD40L level had no significant correlation with D*, normalized D*, D, or normalized D (All p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The f value derived from IVIM imaging was negatively correlated with serum sCD40L level. f value might serve as a potential imaging biomarker to assess the formation of microvascular thrombosis in hyperacute period of ischemic stroke.
Animals ; CD40 Ligand* ; Diffusion ; Dogs ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Perfusion ; Stroke* ; Thrombosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study evaluated the clinical value of detachable-balloon embolization for traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (TCCF), focusing on the frequency, risk factors, and retreatment of recurrence. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with TCCF underwent transarterial detachable-balloon embolization between October 2004 and March 2011. The clinical follow-up was performed every 3 months until up to 3 years postprocedure. Each patient was placed in either the recurrence group or the nonrecurrence group according to whether a recurrence developed after the first procedure. The relevant factors including gender, fistula location, interval between trauma and the interventional procedure, blood flow in the carotid-cavernous fistula, number of balloons, and whether the internal carotid artery (ICA) was sacrificed were evaluated. RESULTS: All 58 TCCFs were successfully treated with transarterial balloon embolization, including 7 patients with ICA sacrifice. Recurrent fistulas occurred in seven patients during the follow-up period. Univariate analysis indicated that the interval between trauma and the interventional procedure (p=0.006) might be the main factor related to the recurrence of TCCF. The second treatments involved ICA sacrifice in two patients, fistula embolization with balloons in four patients, and placement of a covered stent in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Detachable balloons can still serve as the first-line treatment for TCCFs and recurrent TCCFs despite having a nonnegligible recurrence rate. Shortening the interval between trauma and the interventional procedure may reduce the risk of recurrence.
Balloon Occlusion ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Retreatment ; Risk Factors ; Stents

BACKGROUNDA new lacunar infarction model was recently established in beagle dogs through proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion by thrombus. This study aimed to characterize the model by multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to investigate its potential role for the future stroke research.

METHODSThe left proximal MCA was embolized with an autologous thrombus in six beagles. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) were performed every half hour during the first six hours after occlusion, followed by three time points at 12 hours, 24 hours, and one week. Perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were carried out at six hours, 24 hours and one week. The PWI-DWI mismatch ratio was defined as (PWI-DWI)/DWI ischemic volume.

RESULTSLacunar infarcts induced by MCA occlusion were located in the left caudate nucleus and internal capsule. All the lesions could be detected within two hours by DWI. Lesion volume on DWI increased in a time dependent manner, from (87.19 ± 67.16) mm(3) at one hour up to (368.98 ± 217.05) mm(3) at 24 hours (P = 0.009), while that on PWI gradually decreased from (7315.00 ± 2054.38) mm(3) at six hours to (4900.33 ± 1319.71) mm(3) at 24 hours and (3334.33 ± 1195.11) mm(3) at one week (P = 0.002). The mismatch ratio was 41.93 ± 22.75 at six hours after ischemia, showing "extensive mismatch", and decreased to 18.10 ± 13.74 at 24 hours (P = 0.002). No MCA recanalization was observed within 24 hours after MCA occlusion.

CONCLUSIONSLacunar infarction induced by proximal MCA occlusion could be detected early by DWI and was characterized by extensive PWI-DWI mismatch. Multimodal MRI is useful to demonstrate the natural evolution of PWI-DWI mismatch. This ischemic model could be further used for investigating early thrombolysis in lacunar stroke showing extensive mismatch.

Animals ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Dogs ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; complications ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; methods ; Male ; Stroke, Lacunar ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate effects of P-glycoprotein (gp) substrate drugs on the expression of CD147 and MMP2 and 9 in multidrug resistant breast cancer cells.

METHODSMDR human breast cancer cell line, MCF7/AdrR, and its sensitive parental line, MCF7, were treated with various concentrations of P-gp substrate drugs, including paclitoxel and vincristine, and P-gp nonsubstrate drugs, bleomycin, in serum-free media. At the end of the treatment, expressions of CD147 and MMP2 and 9 were determined by real-time PCR and western blot.

RESULTSIncreased expressions of CD147 and MMP2 and 9 were observed in multidrug resistant cancer cells compared with their parental MCF7 cells. After treatment with bleomycin, the expression of CD147 and MMP2 and 9 in both MCF7 and MCF7/AdrR cells remained unchanged (P > 0.05). However, treatment with paclitoxel and vincristine resulted in a remarkable over-expression of CD147 and MMP2 and 9 at both transcription and protein levels in MCF7/AdrR cell line (P < 0.05), while MCF7 cells failed to show similar response.

CONCLUSIONSP-gp substrate drugs can greatly upregulate the expression of CD147 and MMP2 and 9 in multidrug resistant breast cancer cells, therefore enhancing the tumor metastatic capability.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Basigin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe long-term biological effects of HA-coated prostheses remain uncertain. The purpose of the study is to analyze the reasons of coating shedding of uncemented hip prothesis, so as to provide evidences for the preventions and treatment.

METHODSFrom 2002.10 to 2009.2, 5 patients with coating shedding of uncemented hip prosthesis were treated with kip revision operation. Among the patients, 3 patients were male and 2 patients were female, ranging in age from 55 to 68 years. The hip prosthesis were taken out in the operation and the cause of coating shedding was analyzed. Another ten normal prosthesis taken out from the revision operation were used as the control group. The histomorphology and microarchitecture of hip prosthesis were observed. The micrometer caliper and vickers hardness test were used to measure the thickness and hardness. The interface shearing force was measured by push-out test. The function of hip joint was evaluated by Harris score.

RESULTSThere were difference between control and experience groups in his tomorphology observation. In the 2 patients with HA-coated shedding, the thickness of coating were 112 microm and 138 microm respectively; Vickers hardness were 5,843 Hv and 4,524 Hv respectively; and the shear strength were 12.4 MPa and 11.6 MPa respectively. In the 3 patients with Ti-coated shedding, the Harris scores were 82, 88 and 87 respectively.

CONCLUSIONThere are many reasons of coating shedding of uncemented hip prosthesis. But most reasons have relationship with the quality of hip prosthesis. Nowadays, there are many methods to enhance the binding strength between the coating and prosthesis, and to prevent the early coating shedding.

Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; Durapatite ; Female ; Hip Prosthesis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prosthesis Design